like a train
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
With unstoppable momentum.
Examples
I could not get a shot in. They turned in my direction and came like a train. I stopped the first and the others spilled round him at a frightful speed. I was in the eddy of the first beast, as it were. I got in another shot at an angle behind the ear and down he went.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “like a train” mean?
With unstoppable momentum.
Is “like a train” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.